Assignment #1

     This week for our home school history lesson, we talked about Christopher Columbus.  My oldest made a cute diorama of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.  We looked at a map of the world, and talked about the reason behind Columbus' trips.  We made and decorated a compass out of paper, and talked about finding your way without maps, pictures, or GPS devices.  The last activity we did was kind of interesting.  There was a list of jobs that Columbus might have advertised for to fill the requirements on the three ships.  The kids did a writing assignment where they had to write a letter to Christopher Columbus applying for a position on one of his ships. 
     There were some interesting jobs back then.  They had ships musicians, doctors, map makers, artists (to draw pictures of the things they find), cleaning people, chefs, religious people, and more.  The job that was most intriguing for the kids was to be the ships boy/girl.  They would bring some children to go around and help wherever someone needed extra hands.  My kids thought it would be fun to help the artist and the chef the most!
     During this assignment, I thought that it has been a LONG time since I have actually written a letter.  It is kind of a dying art.  I don't remember the last time I have written a real letter.
   
     My assignment to you this week, is to write a letter to someone you care about, and actually mail it!!!  It is so fun to get something in the mail besides bills.  Think of someone who could use a cheery note, and spread some happy!!